U.S. patent application number 13/843517 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-27 for thermodynamic cycle with compressor recuperation, and associated systems and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to SUPERCRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is SUPERCRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Chal S. Davidson, Steven A. Wright.
Application Number | 20140084595 13/843517 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50337520 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140084595 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Davidson; Chal S. ; et
al. |
March 27, 2014 |
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLE WITH COMPRESSOR RECUPERATION, AND ASSOCIATED
SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power
infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power
infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power
infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power
infrastructure network.
Inventors: |
Davidson; Chal S.;
(Bremerton, WA) ; Wright; Steven A.; (Albuquerque,
NM) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SUPERCRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SUPERCRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Bremerton
WA
|
Family ID: |
50337520 |
Appl. No.: |
13/843517 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61744439 |
Sep 26, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
290/1R ;
60/682 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01K 7/32 20130101; H02J
4/00 20130101; G05F 1/66 20130101; F24H 9/0005 20130101; F01K 23/06
20130101; H02K 7/18 20130101; F01K 25/103 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
290/1.R ;
60/682 |
International
Class: |
F24H 9/00 20060101
F24H009/00; H02K 7/18 20060101 H02K007/18 |
Claims
1. A modular power infrastructure system comprising: a
supercritical power module including: a first compressor structured
to compress a supercritical fluid; a first recuperator structured
to heat compressed supercritical fluid from the first compressor; a
second compressor structured to compress heated supercritical fluid
received from the first recuperator; a second recuperator
structured to heat compressed supercritical fluid from the second
compressor; an outlet path structured to provide heated compressed
supercritical fluid from the second recuperator to a heat source;
an inlet path structured to provide heated compressed supercritical
fluid from the heat source; an expander coupled to receive heated
compressed supercritical fluid from the heat source and structured
to convert a drop in enthalpy of supercritical fluid to mechanical
energy; and a cooler structured to cool expanded supercritical
fluid from the first recuperator and provide cooled supercritical
fluid to the first compressor.
2. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 1, further
comprising: a supercritical fluid supply path structured to supply
supercritical fluid from the supercritical power module; and a
supercritical fluid return path structured to return supercritical
fluid to the supercritical power module.
3. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 1, further
comprising a thermal input module in fluid communication, with the
outlet path and the inlet path, the thermal input module including
a heat source structured to heat compressed supercritical
fluid.
4. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 3, wherein the
thermal input module further includes a waste heat supply path
structured to supply waste heat from the thermal input module to at
least one selected other module.
5. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 2, further
comprising a heat rejection module in fluid communication with the
supercritical fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return
path.
6. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 5, wherein the
heat rejection module includes a heat exchanger.
7. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 2, further
comprising a process module in fluid communication with the
supercritical fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return
path.
8. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 7 wherein the
process module includes an expansion device and a heat
exchanger.
9. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 2, further
comprising a work module in fluid communication with the
supercritical fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return
path.
10. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 9, wherein the
work module includes at least one thermo mechanical work
device.
11. The modular power infrastructure n system of claim 1, wherein
the supercritical power module further includes an electrical power
generator coupled to the expander.
12. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 1, wherein the
expander includes a device chosen from a reciprocating engine, an
axial flow turbine, and a radial flow turbine.
13. A modular power infrastructure system comprising: a
supercritical power module including: a first compressor having an
inlet and an outlet and being structured to raise a pressure of a
supercritical fluid; a first recuperator in fluid communication
with the first compressor outlet and being structured to transfer
heat to the compressed supercritical fluid; a second compressor
having an inlet in fluid communication with the first recuperator,
having an outlet, and being structured to raise the pressure of the
supercritical fluid; a second recuperator in fluid communication
with the second compressor outlet and being structured to transfer
heat to the compressed supercritical fluid; an outlet path
structured to provide heated compressed supercritical fluid from
the second recuperator to a heat source; an inlet path structured
to provide the heated compressed supercritical fluid from the heat
source; an expander having an inlet operatively coupled in fluid
communication with the inlet path, the expander being structured to
convert a drop in enthalpy of the supercritical fluid to mechanical
energy, the expander having an outlet operatively coupled in fluid
communication with the second recuperator to transfer heat from
expanded supercritical fluid to compressed supercritical fluid; and
a cooler being structured to cool expanded supercritical fluid from
the first recuperator and provide cooled expanded supercritical
fluid to the first compressor inlet.
14. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 13, further
comprising: a supercritical fluid supply path structured to supply
supercritical fluid from the supercritical power module to at least
one selected other module; and a supercritical fluid return path
structured to return supercritical fluid from the at least one
selected other module to the supercritical power module.
15. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 13, further
comprising a thermal input module in fluid communication with the
outlet path and the inlet path, the thermal input module including
a heat source structured to heat compressed supercritical
fluid.
16. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 15, wherein
the thermal input module further includes a waste heat supply path
structured to supply waste heat from the thermal input module to at
least one selected other module.
17. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 14, further
comprising a heat rejection module in fluid communication with the
supercritical fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return
path.
18. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 17, wherein
the heat rejection module includes a heat exchanger.
19. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 14, further
comprising a process module in fluid communication with the
supercritical fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return
path.
20. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 19, wherein
the process module includes an expansion device and a heat
exchanger.
21. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 14, further
comprising a work module in fluid communication with the
supercritical fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return
path.
22. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 21, wherein
the work module includes at least one thermo mechanical work
device.
23. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 14, wherein
the supercritical power module further includes an electrical power
generator coupled to the expander.
24. The modular power infrastructure system of claim 14, wherein
the expander includes a device chosen from a reciprocating engine,
an axial flow turbine, and a radial flow turbine.
25. A modular power infrastructure network comprising: a thermal
input module; a supercritical power module in fluid communication
with the thermal input module, the supercritical power module
including: a first compressor structured to compress a
supercritical fluid; a first recuperator structured to heat
compressed supercritical fluid from the first compressor; a second
compressor structured to compress heated supercritical fluid
received from the first recuperator; a second recuperator
structured to heat compressed supercritical fluid from the second
compressor, the thermal input module being coupled to receive
compressed supercritical fluid from the second recuperator; an
expander coupled to receive heated compressed supercritical fluid
from the thermal input module and structured to convert a drop in
enthalpy of supercritical fluid to mechanical energy; and a cooler
structured to cool expanded supercritical fluid from the first
recuperator and provide cooled supercritical fluid to the first
compressor.
26. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 25, wherein
the supercritical power module further includes: a supercritical
fluid supply path structured to supply supercritical fluid from the
supercritical power module; and a supercritical fluid return path
structured to return supercritical fluid to the supercritical power
module.
27. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 26, further
comprising at least one selected other module in fluid
communication with the supercritical fluid supply path and the
supercritical fluid return path.
28. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 25, wherein
the thermal input module includes a heat source structured to heat
compressed supercritical fluid.
29. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 27, wherein
the thermal input module further includes a waste heat supply path
structured to supply waste heat from the thermal input module to
the at least one selected other module.
30. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 27, wherein
the at least one selected other module includes a heat rejection
module.
31. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 30, wherein
the heat rejection module includes a heat exchanger.
32. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 27, wherein
the at least one selected other module includes a process
module.
33. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 32, wherein
the process module includes an expansion device and a heat
exchanger.
34. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 27, wherein
the at least one selected other module includes a mechanical work
module.
35. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 34, wherein
the work module includes at least one thermo mechanical work
device.
36. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 27, wherein
the supercritical power module includes an electrical power
generator coupled to the expander.
37. The modular power infrastructure network of claim 27, wherein
the expander includes a device chosen from a reciprocating engine,
an axial flow turbine, and a radial flow turbine.
38.-64. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application 61/744,439, filed Sep. 26, 2012, entitled "MODULAR
POWER INFRASTRUCTURE," and incorporated herein by reference. To the
extent the foregoing application and/or any other references
incorporated herein by reference conflict with the present
disclosure, the present disclosure controls.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present application is related to working fluids and
their use in thermodynamic cycles.
SUMMARY
[0003] Disclosed illustrative embodiments include modular power
infrastructure networks, distributed electrical power
infrastructure networks, methods for operating a modular power
infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a modular power
infrastructure network.
[0004] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not
intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative
aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further
aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by
reference to the drawings and the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative
embodiment of a modular power infrastructure network.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a graph of entropy versus temperature for a
thermodynamic cycle implemented by the modular power infrastructure
network of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative
embodiment of a thermal input module.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative
embodiment of a heat rejection module.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative
embodiment of a process module.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative
embodiment of a work module.
[0011] FIGS. 7-13 are schematic illustrations of illustrative
embodiments of modular power infrastructure networks.
[0012] FIGS. 14-16 are schematic illustrations of illustrative
embodiments of distributed electrical power infrastructure
networks.
[0013] FIG. 17A is a flowchart of an illustrative method of
operating a modular power infrastructure network.
[0014] FIGS. 17B-17G illustrate details of the method of the
flowchart of FIG. 17A.
[0015] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of an illustrative method of
fabricating a modular power infrastructure network.
[0016] FIG. 18A is a continuation of the illustrative method shown
in FIG. 18.
[0017] FIGS. 18B-18H illustrate details of the method of the
flowchart of FIG. 18A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following detailed description, reference is made to
the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the
drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components,
unless context dictates otherwise.
[0019] The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed
description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.
Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,
without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter
presented here.
[0020] One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein
described components (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the
discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of
conceptual clarity and that various configuration modifications are
contemplated. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars
set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be
representative of their more general classes. In general, use of
any specific exemplar is intended to be representative of its
class, and the non-inclusion of specific components (e.g.,
operations), devices, and objects should not be taken limiting.
[0021] The present application uses formal outline headings for
clarity of presentation. However, it is to be understood that the
outline headings are for presentation purposes, and that different
types of subject matter may be discussed throughout the application
(e.g., device(s)/structure(s) may be described under
process(es)/operations heading(s) and/or process(es)/operations may
be discussed under structure(s)/process(es) headings; and/or
descriptions of single topics may span two or more topic headings).
Hence, the use of the formal outline headings is not intended to be
in any way limiting.
[0022] Many embodiments of the technology described below may take
the form of computer-executable instructions, including routines
executed by a programmable computer. Those skilled in the relevant
art will appreciate that the technology can be practiced on
computer systems other than those shown and described below. The
technology can be embodied in a special-purpose computer or data
processor that is specifically programmed, configured or
constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable
instructions described below. Accordingly, the terms "computer" and
"controller" as generally used herein refer to any data processor
and can include Internet appliances and hand-held devices
(including palm-top computers, wearable computers, cellular or
mobile phones, multi-processor systems, processor-based or
programmable consumer electronics, network computers, mini
computers and the like). Information handled by these computers can
be presented at any suitable display medium, including a CRT
display or LCD.
[0023] The technology can also be practiced in distributed
environments, where tasks or modules are performed by remote
processing devices that are linked through a communications
network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules or
subroutines may be located in local and remote memory storage
devices. Aspects of the technology described below may be stored or
distributed on computer-readable media, including magnetic or
optically readable or removable computer disks, as well as
distributed electronically over networks. In particular
embodiments, data structures and transmissions of data particular
to aspects of the technology are also encompassed within the scope
of the technology.
Overview
[0024] Given by way of overview, disclosed illustrative embodiments
include modular power infrastructure networks, distributed
electrical power infrastructure networks, methods for operating a
modular power infrastructure network, and methods for fabricating a
modular power infrastructure network. The illustrative embodiments
disclosed herein suitably incorporate a thermodynamic cycle with
compressor recuperation.
[0025] Referring briefly to FIG. 1, in an illustrative embodiment
given by way of non-limiting example, an illustrative modular power
infrastructure network 10 includes a supercritical power module 12
that operates according to a thermodynamic cycle having compressor
recuperation. The supercritical power module 12 includes a
compressor 14A structured to compress a supercritical fluid 16. A
recuperator 18A is structured to heat compressed supercritical
fluid 16 from the compressor 14A. A compressor 14B is structured to
compress heated supercritical fluid 16 received from the
recuperator 18A. A recuperator 18B is structured to heat compressed
supercritical fluid 16 from the compressor 14B. An outlet path 20
is structured to provide heated compressed supercritical fluid 16
from the recuperator 18B to a heat source, such as a thermal input
module 22. An inlet path 24 is structured to provide heated
compressed supercritical fluid 16 from the heat source, such as the
thermal input module 22. An expander 26 is coupled to receive
heated compressed supercritical fluid 16 from the heat source 22
and is structured to convert a drop in enthalpy of the
supercritical fluid 16 to mechanical energy. A cooler 28 is
structured to cool expanded supercritical fluid 16 from the
recuperator 18A and provide cooled supercritical fluid 16 to the
compressor 14A.
[0026] Continuing by way of overview, in various embodiments the
supercritical power module suitably is disposed within a modular,
containerized platform (not shown in FIG. 1). Also, if desired,
various embodiments of the modular power infrastructure network may
also include, in addition to the supercritical power module 12, one
or more other modules (not shown in FIG. 1) that may be supplied
with supercritical fluid 16 from the supercritical power module 12
and connectable with various modules within the modular power
infrastructure network to help address various issues, such as
without limitation various fueling options, different operating
environments, heating and cooling needs, mechanical work
requirements, siting constraints, and/or efficiency needs, as
desired for a particular application. Illustrative embodiments of
modular power infrastructure networks, including the supercritical
power module and the other modules that make up various embodiments
of the modular power infrastructure network, will be discussed
below by way of non-limiting examples.
[0027] In at least some embodiments, the supercritical power module
12 and the thermal input module 22 may be provided as separate
modules; that is, the supercritical power module 12 and the thermal
input module 22 each may be provided in its own housing, enclosure
or the like. In such embodiments, supercritical fluid 16 may exit
the supercritical power module 12 and enter the thermal input
module 22, be heated by the thermal input module 22, and then exit
the thermal input module and enter the supercritical power module
12.
[0028] In other embodiments, the supercritical power module 12 and
the thermal input module 22 need not be provided as separate
modules. To that end, in some embodiments the supercritical power
module 12 and the thermal input module 22 may be provided together
in one housing, enclosure, or the like. In some such embodiments,
the one housing, enclosure, or the like may be considered a
"module" (as discussed below). However, the one housing, enclosure,
or the like need not be a "module." To that end, in some other such
embodiments the one housing, enclosure, or the like may not be
considered a "module."
[0029] As discussed above, the present application is related to
working fluids and their use in thermodynamic cycles with
compressor recuperation. In various embodiments, such thermodynamic
cycles may include a Brayton cycle, a Rankine cycle, or the like.
The Brayton thermodynamic cycles and the Rankine thermodynamic
cycles are generally characterized by pressurization of a working
fluid such as by compression and/or pumping, heat addition to the
working fluid, expansion of the heated and pressurized fluid in a
device for converting kinetic, thermal, or potential energy of the
working fluid to mechanical energy, and then rejection of energy
from the working fluid. In a closed system, after expansion the
working fluid is re-pressurized, and the working fluid undergoes
the above process in a cyclical manner.
[0030] As is known, working fluids may be capable of transitioning
to a supercritical state at one or more points of the thermodynamic
cycle process. In addition, the working fluid may be entirely
within a supercritical state at every point of the thermodynamic
cycle. As is also known, a supercritical state is defined as a
state of temperature and pressure above the critical point of the
fluid. When in the supercritical state, the fluids are capable of
transitioning to higher pressure with small amounts of change in
entropy, relative to pressurization of the fluid in its ideal
state. The compressibility of supercritical fluids allows for a
reduced number of compression stages relative to similar
compression of a fluid in the gaseous state. Supercritical fluids
also exhibit reduced viscosity and surface tension relative to
their fluid states. The combination of these features allows
supercritical working fluids to exhibit high rates of mass flow in
rotating machinery, thereby reducing required areal size of the
rotating machinery to achieve a given amount of work output.
[0031] Any one or more of several supercritical fluids, such as Xe,
Kr, CO.sub.2, and/or He, may be used in various embodiments. These
supercritical fluids may be in the form of mixtures as well as in a
pure form. These supercritical fluids may also be mixed with any
suitable number of organic gases or gaseous impurities. For sake of
brevity, this discussion will generally relate to use of CO.sub.2
in the supercritical state (sometimes referred to as "sCO.sub.2");
however, it will be understood that similar principles apply to the
other above-mentioned supercritical fluids or mixtures thereof. To
that end, any one or more of the above-mentioned supercritical
fluids may be used as desired for a particular application. For
example, considerations for use of any particular supercritical
fluid may include choice of operating temperature or pressure of a
desired thermomechanical energy conversion system. Accordingly,
limitation to any particular supercritical fluid is not intended
and is not to be inferred.
Compressor Recuperation
[0032] As discussed above, the supercritical power module 12
operates according to a thermodynamic cycle (such as without
limitation a Brayton cycle) with compressor recuperation (as will
be explained below with reference to FIG. 2). Briefly, in various
embodiments the recuperator 18A transfers heat remaining in
expanded (lower pressure) supercritical fluid 16 exiting the
recuperator 18B to higher pressure supercritical fluid 16 entering
the compressor 14B. Also, the recuperator 18B transfers heat from
the expanded supercritical fluid 16 to the supercritical fluid 16
exiting the compressor 14B. Thus, the temperature of the expanded
supercritical fluid 16 that exits the recuperator 18B is lowered
(relative to simple recuperation) and the temperature of compressed
supercritical fluid 16 that enters the recuperator 18B is raised.
Relative to simple recuperation, these illustrative embodiments may
help result in a lower average heat rejection temperature and
greater amounts of recuperated heat, which can help increase the
average heat addition temperature compared to a simple recuperated
power cycle.
[0033] Referring back to FIG. 1, in an embodiment the illustrative
modular power infrastructure network 10 includes the supercritical
power module 12 that operates according to a thermodynamic cycle
having compressor recuperation. When connected to a source of
thermal energy, the supercritical power module 12 can convert a
drop in enthalpy of the supercritical fluid 16 to mechanical
energy. If desired, in some embodiments the supercritical power
module 12 may supply supercritical fluid 16 to any other suitable
modules that may be coupled to receive supercritical fluid 16 from
the supercritical power module 12.
[0034] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and as will be explained
below with details given by way of illustration and not limitation,
the supercritical power module 12 suitably includes the compressor
14A, the recuperator 18A, the compressor 14B, the recuperator 18B,
the outlet path 20, the inlet path 24, the expander 26, and the
cooler 28. As will also be explained below, in some embodiments the
supercritical power module 12 may include at least one electrical
power generator 27 and in some embodiments the supercritical power
module 12 may include at least one supercritical fluid supply path
30 and at least one supercritical fluid return path 32.
[0035] The compressor 14A is structured to compress, that is raise
the pressure of, the supercritical fluid 16. The compressor 14A has
an inlet 34A and an outlet 36A. In various embodiments, the
compressor 14A suitably may be implemented as any suitable device,
such as a compressor or a pump or the like, that raises the
pressure of the supercritical fluid 16. In some embodiments, the
compressor 14A is operatively coupled to the expander 26 with a
shaft 38. In such embodiments, the expander 26 converts a drop in
enthalpy of the supercritical fluid 16 to mechanical energy that
includes rotation of the shaft 38, thereby rotating the compressor
14A. It will be appreciated that operatively coupling of the
compressor 14A to the expander 26 may be made via a mechanical
coupling (such as a gearbox or the like) or, if desired, a magnetic
coupling.
[0036] The recuperator 18A is structured to heat the compressed
supercritical fluid 16 that exits the outlet 36A of the compressor
14A. The recuperator 18A suitably is any type of heat exchanger,
such as a tube-and-shell heat exchanger, a printed circuit heat
exchanger, or the like. The heat exchanger of the recuperator 18A
may be implemented using any suitable flow orientation as desired,
such as a cross-flow orientation, a counter-flow orientation, or a
parallel-flow orientation. The recuperator 18A suitably is sized to
have a selected heat transfer capacity as desired for a particular
application. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the recuperator 18A
is in fluid communication with the outlet 36A of the compressor
14A. The recuperator 18A includes an inlet 42A, coupled in fluid
communication with the outlet 36A of the compressor 14A, and an
outlet 44A that define one side of the heat exchanger of the
recuperator 18A. The recuperator 18A also includes an inlet 46A,
coupled in fluid communication with the recuperator 18B to receive
expanded supercritical fluid 16, and an outlet 48A that define
another side of the heat exchanger of the recuperator 18A. Heat is
transferred to compressed supercritical fluid 16 flowing between
the inlet 42A and the outlet 44A on one side of the heat exchanger
from expanded supercritical fluid 16 flowing between the inlet 46A
and the outlet 48A on the other side of the heat exchanger.
[0037] The compressor 14B is structured to compress, that is raise
the pressure of, the supercritical fluid 16 that exits the outlet
44A of the recuperator 18A. Provision of the compressors 14A and
14B can be considered to be equivalent to provision of two
compressor stages, each with a smaller pressure ratio than that of
a single compressor for a simple recuperated power cycle. The
product of pressure ratios of the two compressor stages (that is,
pressure ratios for the compressors 14A and 14B) may generally
approximate a compressor pressure ratio for a single compressor for
a simple recuperated power cycle. Nevertheless, with working fluids
that are very dense and have little compressibility, increase in
compression power in the second compressor stage (such as, in
various embodiments, the compressor 14B) is offset by increased
power cycle efficiency caused by lower heat rejection temperature
and greater amounts of recuperation that result in a higher heat
addition temperature. As a result, some embodiments can help
achieve an efficiency increase on the order of around two percent
or so above that of a simple recuperated power cycle for typical
operating conditions used in typical supercritical fluid power
systems.
[0038] The compressor 14B has an inlet 34B coupled in fluid
communication with the outlet 44A of the recuperator 18A. The
compressor 14B has an outlet 36B. In various embodiments, the
compressor 14B suitably may be implemented as any suitable device,
such as a compressor or a pump or the like, that raises the
pressure of the supercritical fluid 16, and may be similar to or
the same as the compressor 14A. In some embodiments, the compressor
14B is operatively coupled to the expander 26 with a shaft 38 for
rotation thereby in a similar or same manner as described above for
the compressor 14A.
[0039] Thus, the compressors 14A and 14B operate in series (as
opposed to operating in parallel). Because the compressors 14A and
14B operate in series (as opposed to operating in parallel), it
will be appreciated that potential control issues that may be
applicable to interaction of compressor stages operating in
parallel may not be applicable to the compressors 14A and 14B that
operate in series.
[0040] The recuperator 18B is structured to heat the compressed
supercritical fluid 16 that exits the outlet 36B of the compressor
14B. The recuperator 18B suitably is any type of heat exchanger,
such as a tube-and-shell heat exchanger, a printed circuit heat
exchanger, or the like, and may be similar to or the same as the
recuperator 18A. Likewise, the heat exchanger of the recuperator
18B may be implemented using any suitable flow orientation as
desired, such as a cross-flow orientation, a counter-flow
orientation, or a parallel-flow orientation and may be similar to
or the same as the recuperator 18A. The recuperator 18B suitably is
sized to have a selected heat transfer capacity as desired for a
particular application. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
recuperator 18B is in fluid communication with the outlet 36B of
the compressor 14B. The recuperator 18B includes an inlet 42B,
coupled in fluid communication with the outlet 36A of the
compressor 14A, and an outlet 44B that define one side of the heat
exchanger of the recuperator 18B. The recuperator 18B also includes
an inlet 46B, coupled in fluid communication with the expander 26
to receive expanded supercritical fluid 16, and an outlet 48B,
coupled in fluid communication with the inlet 46A of the
recuperator 18A, that define another side of the heat exchanger of
the recuperator 18B. Heat is transferred to compressed
supercritical fluid 16 flowing between the inlet 42B and the outlet
44B on one side of the heat exchanger from expanded supercritical
fluid 16 flowing between the inlet 46B and the outlet 48B on the
other side of the heat exchanger.
[0041] The outlet path 20 is structured to provide heated
compressed supercritical fluid 16 from the recuperator 18B to a
heat source, such as a thermal input module 22. The outlet path 20
includes a suitable isolation valve 21. The heat source, such as
the thermal input module 22, suitably heats supercritical fluid
provided thereto from the outlet path 20. The inlet path 24 is
structured to provide heated compressed supercritical fluid 16 from
the heat source 22. The inlet path 24 includes a suitable isolation
valve 25. It will be appreciated that the thermal input module 22
is considered to be a module that is outside the module boundary of
the supercritical power module 12. As such, embodiments of the
thermal input module 22 will be described below along with other
modules that may be included as desired in embodiments of modular
power infrastructure networks.
[0042] The expander 26 is coupled to receive heated compressed
supercritical fluid 16 from the heat source, such as the thermal
input module 22, and is structured to convert a drop in enthalpy of
the supercritical fluid 16 to mechanical energy, such as without
limitation rotation of the shaft 38. The expander 26 suitably may
include any suitable device capable of expanding the heat
supercritical fluid 16 received from the inlet path 24 and
converting a drop in enthalpy of the supercritical fluid 16 to
mechanical energy. As such, in some embodiments the expander 26
suitably may include without limitation a turbine or
turbomachinery, such as without limitation a turbo-expander, an
expansion turbine, a centrifugal turbine, an axial flow turbine,
and/or the like. In such embodiments, the expander 26 causes the
shaft 38 to rotate at very high rotational velocities, such as
without limitation rotational velocities much greater than 36,000
revolutions per minute. In some other embodiments, the expander 26
suitably may also include a reciprocating engine. It will be
appreciated that, in some embodiments, more than one expander 26
may be provided, as desired for a particular application.
[0043] As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the expander 26 has an
inlet 49 operatively coupled in fluid communication with the inlet
path 24 and an outlet 50 operatively coupled in fluid communication
with the inlet 46B of the recuperator 18B to transfer heat from
expanded supercritical fluid 16 to compressed supercritical fluid
16 that exits the compressor 14B.
[0044] In some embodiments at least one electrical power generator
27 may be operationally coupled to the expander 26 with the shaft
38. The electrical power generator 27 may be any suitable
electrical power generator known in the art, such as a
turbogenerator, an alternator, or any other suitable electrical
power generator known in the art. The electrical power generator 27
may be sized to have an electrical power generating capacity as
desired for a particular application. Also, it will be appreciated
that, in some embodiments, more than one electrical power generator
27 may be provided, as desired for a particular application. Given
by way of non-limiting example, depending on the particular
application, in some embodiments the electrical power generator 27
(or all of the electrical power generators 27) may have a rating in
a range between 2-6 KW.sub.e. In some embodiments and given by way
of non-limiting example, the electrical power generator 27 (or all
of the electrical power generators 27) may have a rating on the
order of around 5 KW.sub.e or so, as desired for a particular
application. It will be appreciated that no limitation regarding
rating of the electrical power generator 27 (or cumulative rating
of all of the electrical power generators 27) is intended and is
not to be inferred.
[0045] The cooler 28 is structured to cool expanded supercritical
fluid 16 from the recuperator 18A and provide cooled supercritical
fluid 16 to the compressor 14A. The cooler 28 has an inlet 52 that
is operatively coupled in fluid communication to the outlet 48A of
the recuperator 18A and an outlet 54 that is operatively coupled in
fluid communication to the inlet 34 of the compressor 14A. The
cooler 28 may be any suitable cooler that is suitable for cooling
the supercritical fluid 16. For example and given by way of
illustration and not of limitation, in various embodiments the
cooler 28 may include: a "wet" cooler, such as a condenser; a heat
exchanger like a tube-and-shell heat exchanger or a printed circuit
heat exchanger; or a "dry" cooler, such as a forced-air cooling
"radiator" or the like.
[0046] It will be appreciated that, as discussed above, operating
parameters may be selected as desired for a particular application.
Given by way of illustration and not of limitation, illustrative
operating parameters for various illustrative components of and
embodiments of the supercritical power module 10 may include,
without limitation, parameters on the order of values as follows,
as desired for a particular application: inlet temperature on the
order of around 305 K or so for the compressors 14A and 14B; inlet
pressure on the order of around 7.5 MPa or so for the compressors
14A and 14B; mass flow rate on the order of around 45 kg/s or so;
system pressure drop on the order of around 5% or so; cold side
recuperator approach temperature on the order of around 15 K or so;
and (nearly)-isentropic efficiencies on the order of around 82
percent or so for the compressor 18B, on the order of around 84
percent or so for the compressor 14A, and on the order of around 85
percent or so for the expander 26.
[0047] It will be appreciated that, in view of the above,
improvement of efficiency of the cycle shown in FIG. 2 over a
simple recuperated cycle may, in part, occur because of a greater
magnitude of useful heat that is recuperated, a lower average heat
sink temperature, and a higher average heat source temperature--in
spite of increased power entailed by the compressors 14A and 14B.
It will also be appreciated that, in the non-limiting examples set
forth above, efficiency improvement due to use of re-heat via
recuperation between the compressors 14A and 14B may be on the
order of up to about between one-half-to-one percent or so above a
simple recuperated power cycle and use of cooling (of the expanded
supercritical fluid) may help increase efficiency by about an
additional one percent. The heat exchange process heats the
supercritical fluid between the compressors 14A, and 14B. This is
contrary to typical inter-compressor or compressor interstage heat
exchange processes, which cool the working fluid passing from one
compressor or compressor stage to the next. Thus, it will be
appreciated that a thermodynamic cycle using compressor
recuperation may be on the order of about two percent or so more
efficient than a thermodynamic cycle using simple recuperation.
[0048] It will also be appreciated that for a fixed size heat
source (such as the thermal input module 22), there is a larger
flow rate (about on the order of about twenty-to-thirty percent or
so larger) through the thermodynamic cycle using compressor
recuperation (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) than in a simple
recuperated cycle. Because turbomachinery of power systems using
supercritical fluids are compact and powerful, they operate
optimally at high speeds (for example without limitation, at speeds
around 40,000 revolutions-per-minute ("rpm") or greater for
electrical power levels below 5 MW.sub.e). However, it will be
appreciated that commercial availability may be limited for
bearings and seals for systems that entail rotational speeds
greater than around 40,000 rpm or so.
[0049] In addition, small sizes of wheels (about 3.5-4 inches or so
in diameter) for the compressors 14A and 14B may help contribute to
increase loss mechanisms in the compressors 14A and 14B. Thus, a
larger compressor wheel may have a higher isentropic efficiency
than a smaller wheel. A partial solution to this issue may include
use of two stages of compression (such as, without limitation, use
of the compressors 14A and 14B). Thus, for some applications (such
as relatively small applications on the order of around less than
around 10 MW.sub.e or so) the physical arrangement of the
compressor may already be suited for either inter-cooling
(compressors in parallel) or inter-recuperation (compressors in
series). As discussed above, inter-recuperation (that is,
compressor-recuperation as disclosed in non-limiting embodiments
described above) may help increase efficiency more than
inter-cooling, thereby helping contribute to setting forth
inter-recuperation (that is, compressor-recuperation as disclosed
in non-limiting embodiments described above) as a possibly-desired
implementation.
[0050] In some embodiments, at least one supercritical fluid supply
path 30 may be structured to supply supercritical fluid 16 from the
supercritical power module 12 and at least one supercritical fluid
return path 32 may be structured to return supercritical fluid 16
to the supercritical power module 12. In such embodiments, the
supercritical fluid 16 that is supplied from the supercritical
power module 12 may be expanded supercritical fluid 16 and/or
compressed supercritical fluid 16, as desired for a particular
application. The supercritical fluid 16 may be supplied from the
supercritical power module 12 via the supercritical fluid supply
path 30 to any other suitable module or modules (not shown in FIG.
1) in the modular power infrastructure network as desired for a
particular application.
[0051] It will be appreciated that any achievable possible
efficiency improvements of disclosed embodiments may be made
possible because of a possible greater magnitude of useful heat
that is recuperated, the lower average heat sink temperature, the
higher average heat source temperature in spite of the increased
power required by the multiple compressors. It will be appreciated
that in these examples the efficiency improvement can be about 2.0
percentage points above the simple recuperated power cycle. In
comparison, the use of reheat can increase the efficiency from 0.5
to 1%. Likewise, cooling the expanded supercritical fluid can
increase the efficiency by about an additional 1%. Thus, the
presently disclosed technology that uses compressor-recuperation
can be significantly more effective and/or efficient than commonly
used methods of inter-compressor cooling or compressor inter-stage
cooling.
[0052] It may be desirable to provide supercritical fluid 16 at
various temperatures and entropy levels from the supercritical
power module 12 to one or more other modules (not shown in FIG. 1)
in the modular power infrastructure network as desired for a
particular application. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the
supercritical fluid supply paths 30 suitably may be provided at
locations between one or more of the following components: the
outlet 36A of the compressor 14A and the inlet 42A of the
recuperator 18; the outlet 44A of the recuperator 18A and the inlet
34B of the compressor 14B; the outlet 36B of the compressor 14B and
the inlet 42B of the recuperator 18B; the outlet 44B of the
recuperator 18B and the and the isolation valve 21 in the outlet
path 20; the isolation valve 25 in the inlet path 24 and the inlet
49 of the expander 26; the outlet 50 of the expander 26 and the
inlet 46B of the recuperator 18B; the outlet 48B of the recuperator
18B and the inlet 46A of the recuperator 18A; the outlet 48A of the
recuperator 18A and the inlet 52 of the cooler 28; and the outlet
54 of the cooler 28 and the inlet 34A of the compressor 14A. Each
supercritical fluid supply path 30 is isolated via a suitable
isolation valve 56.
[0053] At least one supercritical fluid return path 32 is
structured to return supercritical fluid 16 to the supercritical
power module 12 from the other module or modules (not shown in FIG.
1) to which the supercritical fluid 16 has been supplied via the
supercritical fluid supply path 30. Accordingly, in various
embodiments, the supercritical fluid return paths 32 suitably may
be provided at locations between one or more of the following
components: the outlet 36A of the compressor 14A and the inlet 42A
of the recuperator 18; the outlet 44A of the recuperator 18A and
the inlet 34B of the compressor 14B; the outlet 36B of the
compressor 14B and the inlet 42B of the recuperator 18B; the outlet
44B of the recuperator 18B and the and the isolation valve 21 in
the outlet path 20; the isolation valve 25 in the inlet path 24 and
the inlet 49 of the expander 26; the outlet 50 of the expander 26
and the inlet 46B of the recuperator 18B; the outlet 48B of the
recuperator 18B and the inlet 46A of the recuperator 18A; the
outlet 48A of the recuperator 18A and the inlet 52 of the cooler
28; and the outlet 54 of the cooler 28 and the inlet 34A of the
compressor 14A. Each supercritical fluid return path 32 is isolated
via a suitable isolation valve 58.
[0054] The components of the supercritical power module 12
discussed above suitably may be interconnected with piping, tubing,
fittings, connectors, and the like appropriate for temperature and
pressure conditions and for compatibility with the supercritical
fluid 16 contained therein and flowing therethrough. In addition in
some embodiments, if desired, connections between components of the
supercritical power module 12 may be made with "quick
disconnect"-type fittings, thereby helping contribute to modularity
of the supercritical power module 12. Moreover, in some
embodiments, physical arrangement of components of the
supercritical power module 12 may be standardized. That is, a set
amount of space may be allocated for a particular component and a
standard mounting pad or the like may be utilized for that
particular component regardless of size or rating of the particular
component, thereby also helping contribute to modularity of the
supercritical power module 12.
[0055] In some embodiments, if desired connections between the
supercritical power module 12 and other modules, such as those at
terminations of the outlet path 20, the inlet path 24, the
supercritical fluid supply path 30, and the supercritical fluid
return path 32 may be made with "quick disconnect"-type fittings,
thereby helping contribute to modularity of the modular power
infrastructure network 10.
[0056] In some embodiments, the supercritical power module 12 may
be implemented in one or more standard containers, such as an
ocean-going cargo container or the like, thereby helping contribute
to modularity of the modular power infrastructure network 10.
Moreover, a standard container may be considered to include any
such container shipped via road, truck, train, airlift, or
water-going vessel.
[0057] Now that the illustrative modular power infrastructure
network 10 and its components have been discussed, operation of
embodiments of the modular power infrastructure network 10 will be
discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 2, entropy (in Kj/kg-K) is graphed versus
temperature (in degrees K) for a thermodynamic cycle with
compressor recuperation, such as that implemented by the modular
power infrastructure network 10. In the discussion below, phases of
the thermodynamic cycle illustrated in FIG. 2 are mapped to
corresponding components of the modular power infrastructure
network 10 that may implement phases associated therewith.
Alphabetic references (indicated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) are made to
relate to phases of the cycle illustrated in FIG. 2 to associated
components illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0059] FIG. 2 graphs a curve 200 of entropy (in Kj/kg-K) along an
x-axis versus temperature (in degrees K) along a y-axis. It will be
appreciated that values for entropy and temperature are given by
way of illustration only and not of limitation. It will be further
appreciated that values of entropy and temperature may be affected
by amounts of supercritical fluid 16 that may or may not be
provided to other modules (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in the
modular power infrastructure network as desired for a particular
purpose.
[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, between points A and B the
temperature of the supercritical fluid 16 is raised in a nearly
substantially isentropic process as pressure of the supercritical
fluid 16 is raised in the compressor 14A (approximating the
well-known relationship PV=nRT). Between points B and A' the
temperature and enthalpy of the supercritical fluid 16 are raised
between the inlet 42A of the recuperator 18A and the outlet 44A of
the recuperator 18A. Between points A' and B' the temperature of
the supercritical fluid 16 is raised in a nearly substantially
isentropic process as pressure of the supercritical fluid 16 is
raised in the compressor 14B (approximating the well-known
relationship PV=nRT). Between points B' and C the temperature and
enthalpy of the supercritical fluid 16 are raised between the inlet
42B of the recuperator 18B and the outlet 44B of the recuperator
18B. Between points C and D the temperature and enthalpy of the
supercritical fluid 16 are raised by the heat source, such as the
thermal input module 22, between the outlet path 20 and the inlet
path 24. Between points D and E the temperature and enthalpy of the
supercritical fluid 16 are lowered in a nearly substantially
isentropic process as the supercritical fluid 16 is expanded, and
the pressure thereof is reduced accordingly, in the expander 26.
Between points E and F' the temperature and enthalphy of the
supercritical fluid 16 are reduced between the inlet 46B of
recuperator 18B and the outlet 48B of the recuperator 18B. Between
points F' and F the temperature and enthalphy of the supercritical
fluid 16 are reduced between the inlet 46A of recuperator 18A and
the outlet 48A of the recuperator 18A. Between points F and A
temperature and enthalpy of the supercritical fluid 16 are further
reduced by the cooler 28.
[0061] It will be appreciated that, as seen in FIG. 2, in some
embodiments the supercritical fluid 16 may remain in the
supercritical state during all phases of the thermodynamic cycle
shown in FIG. 2. However, it will be appreciated that, at one or
more points during the process shown along the curve 200 a state
other than a supercritical state may exist. Nonetheless, for sake
of simplicity, reference is only made to the supercritical fluid 16
as opposed to a fluid having one or more properties other than that
of a supercritical fluid. Accordingly, as used herein,
"supercritical" fluid refers to a fluid that is in a supercritical
state during one or more operational portions of a cycle.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as discussed above in various
embodiments the recuperator 18A transfers heat remaining in
expanded (lower pressure) supercritical fluid 16 exiting the
recuperator 18B to higher pressure supercritical fluid 16 entering
the compressor 14B. Also, the recuperator 18B transfers heat from
the expanded supercritical fluid 16 to the supercritical fluid 16
exiting the compressor 14B. Thus, temperature of the expanded
supercritical fluid 16 that exits the recuperator 18B is lowered
(relative to simple recuperation) and temperature of compressed
supercritical fluid 16 that enters the recuperator 18B is raised.
Relative to simple recuperation, these illustrative embodiments may
help result in a lower average heat rejection temperature and
greater amounts of recuperated heat, which can help increase the
average heat addition temperature compared to a simple recuperated
power cycle.
[0063] A control system (not shown in FIG. 1) suitably is provided
in operative communication with components of the modular power
infrastructure network 10 to monitor various parameters and provide
feedback to control operation of the modular power infrastructure
network 10. The control system may suitably monitor at least
temperature, pressure, and flow rate at selected locations within
the modular power infrastructure network 10 that correspond to the
points A, B, A', B', C, D, E, F', and F (FIGS. 1 and 2). In some
embodiments the control system also may suitably monitor speed of
the shaft 38 and/or electrical load of the electrical generator 27.
In some embodiments the control system may monitor heat flux in the
thermal input module 22. The control system suitably compares
monitored conditions to desired parameters, generates appropriate
control signals, and controls the components of the modular power
infrastructure network 10 to vary speed of the shaft 38, ratio
compression ratio of the compressors 14A and/or 14B, amount of heat
added by the thermal input module 22, and/or the like. The control
system suitably may be implemented with any suitable controller,
such as without limitation any suitable logic controller or the
like, any suitable sensors (such as thermocouples, pressure
sensors, flow rate sensors, rotational speed sensors, voltage
sensors, current sensors, electrical power sensors, and/or heat
flux sensors) and any suitable control actuators (such as without
limitation throttle valves, rheostats, and the like).
Other Modules of Modular Power Infrastructure Networks
[0064] Now that illustrative thermodynamic cycles that may be
implemented by embodiments of the supercritical power module have
been discussed, further modules that may be included in embodiments
of modular power infrastructure networks, as desired, will be
discussed. As will be appreciated, the other modules may be
included in any embodiment of a modular power infrastructure
network, as desired. The other modules described below can help
configure different embodiments of modular power infrastructure
networks to perform various functions, as desired. As will also be
appreciated, the ability to reconfigure various embodiments of
modular power infrastructure networks via inclusion of other
modules as desired can help contribute to modularity of modular
power infrastructure networks.
[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, various embodiments of
modular power infrastructure networks may include one or more
thermal input modules 22. The thermal input module 22 heats
supercritical fluid 16 (compressed and supplied by the
supercritical power module) and provides the heated supercritical
fluid 16 to the supercritical power module.
[0066] The thermal input module 22 includes a supercritical fluid
heating unit 500. The supercritical fluid heating unit 500 suitably
generates or collects heat and transfers the heat to the
supercritical fluid 16.
[0067] The supercritical fluid heating unit 500 includes a heater
502 and a supercritical fluid heat exchanger 504. The heater 502
generates or collects heat. In some embodiments, the heater 502 may
collect (and/or concentrate) heat from other sources of heat, such
as without limitation geothermal, solar, process heat, waste heat,
or the like. In some other embodiments, the heater 502 may generate
heat, such as via oxidation or combustion or the like.
[0068] The supercritical fluid heat exchanger 504 is operationally
coupled in thermal communication with the heater 502 and transfers
the heat from the heater 502 to the supercritical fluid 16. The
supercritical fluid heat exchanger 504 suitably is any suitable
type of heat exchanger, such as a tube-and-shell heat exchanger, a
printed circuit heat exchanger, or the like. The supercritical
fluid heat exchanger 504 may be implemented using any suitable flow
orientation as desired, such as a cross-flow orientation, a
counter-flow orientation, or a parallel-flow orientation. The
supercritical fluid heat exchanger 504 suitably is sized to have a
selected heat transfer capacity as desired for a particular
application.
[0069] One side of the supercritical fluid heat exchanger 504 has
an inlet 506 that may be coupled in fluid communication to receive
supercritical fluid 16 from the outlet path 20 and an outlet 508
that may be coupled in fluid communication to provide heated
supercritical fluid 16 to the inlet path 24.
[0070] Another side of the supercritical fluid heat exchanger 504
has an inlet 510 coupled to receive heat from the heater 502 and an
outlet 512. The outlet 512 can exhaust to ambient or can be coupled
to any other suitable module or modules as desired to supply waste
thereto.
[0071] It will be appreciated that some embodiments of modular
power infrastructure networks may include one thermal input module
22 and some other embodiments of modular power infrastructure
networks may include more than one thermal input module 22, as
desired for a particular application. It will also be appreciated
that various embodiments of the thermal input module 22 may include
more than one heater 502. In such embodiments, the heaters 502 may
be different sources or collectors/concentrators of heat, discussed
above, that may be combined with each other. Also, it will be
appreciated that various embodiments of the thermal input module 22
may include more than one supercritical fluid heat exchanger 504,
as desired for a particular application.
[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, various embodiments of
modular power infrastructure networks may include one or more heat
rejection modules 600. In such embodiments, the heat rejection
module 600 allows transfer of heat from the supercritical fluid 16
supplied from embodiments of the supercritical power module to a
heat sink (not shown) having a bulk temperature below that of the
supercritical fluid 16 supplied to the heat rejection module 600.
Given by way of non-limiting example, transfer of heat from the
supercritical fluid 16 supplied from embodiments of the
supercritical power module to the heat sink may be desirable to
help increase efficiency of pumping or compression of the
supercritical fluid 16. To that end, transfer of heat from the
supercritical fluid 16 supplied from embodiments of the
supercritical power module to the heat sink reduces enthalpy of the
supercritical fluid 16, thereby increasing density of the
supercritical fluid 16, which can help increase efficiency of
pumping or compression of the supercritical fluid 16.
[0073] Embodiments of the heat rejection module 600 include at
least one heat rejection heat exchanger 602. The heat rejection
heat exchanger 602 may be any suitable type of heat exchanger as
desired for a particular application. In some embodiments, it may
be desired simply to transfer heat from the supercritical fluid 16
supplied from embodiments of the supercritical power module to the
heat sink. In some such cases, the heat sink may be a reservoir
like a large body of water (such as a lake, a river, an ocean, or
the like) having a bulk temperature below that of the supercritical
fluid 16 and the heat rejection heat exchanger 602 may be any
acceptable heat exchanger such as a shell-and-tube heat exchanger,
a printed circuit heat exchanger, or the like. In other such cases,
the heat sink may be ambient air and the heat rejection heat
exchanger 602 may be any acceptable heat exchanger structured to
provide for evaporative cooling (such as, for example, a heat
exchanger configured to spray a liquid onto cooling coils). In
other such cases, the heat rejection heat exchanger 602 may be a
radiator in which the heat sink is ambient air that is blown past
coils through which the supercritical fluid 16 flows.
[0074] In some other embodiments, the heat sink may be a reservoir
of fluid, having a bulk temperature below that of the supercritical
fluid 16, to which it is desired to transfer heat from the
supercritical fluid 16 and raise the bulk temperature for a desired
purpose. In such cases and given by way of non-limiting examples,
embodiments of the supercritical power module may be capable of
providing heat otherwise unutilized therein to serve external
systems requiring thermal input, such as without limitation
district heating, residential heating, commercial heating,
industrial heating, structural heating, process heating, or the
like.
[0075] Each supply and return line to and from both sides of the
heat rejection heat exchanger 602 may include an isolation valve
604. In some embodiments, if desired connections between the heat
rejection module 600 and other modules, such as those at
terminations of the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the
supercritical fluid return path 32, may be made with "quick
disconnect"-type fittings, thereby helping contribute to modularity
of the modular power infrastructure network. Also, if desired, in
some embodiments the supercritical fluid 16 from the heat rejection
heat exchanger 602 may be provided to any other suitable module for
heating (and ultimate return to the supercritical fluid return path
32), as desired, instead of being returned directly to the
supercritical fluid return path 32.
[0076] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, various embodiments of
modular power infrastructure networks may include one or more
process modules 700. In such embodiments, the process module 700
allows transfer of heat from fluid supplied by a heat source (not
shown) to the supercritical fluid 16 supplied from embodiments of
the supercritical power module, thereby cooling the fluid supplied
by a heat source.
[0077] Embodiments of the process module 700 include at least one
expansion device 702, such as without limitation an expansion valve
or the like, and at least one process heat exchanger 704. The
process heat exchanger 704 may be any suitable type of heat
exchanger as desired for a particular application, such as a
shell-and-tube heat exchanger, a printed circuit heat exchanger, or
the like. The expansion device 702 expands the supercritical fluid
16, thereby lowering pressure and causing a drop in enthalpy (and a
resultant drop in temperature). In the process heat exchanger 704
heat is transferred from fluid supplied by the heat source (and
having a bulk temperature above that of the supercritical fluid 16
that has been expanded by the expansion device 702) to the
supercritical fluid 16 that has been expanded by the expansion
device 702.
[0078] The process module 700 may be used to provide cooling of
fluid from any suitable heat source as desired for a particular
application, such as without limitation computational facilities,
HVAC system, process cooling, building and structure cooling, and
the like.
[0079] Each supply and return line to and from both sides of the
process heat exchanger 704 may include an isolation valve 706. In
some embodiments, if desired connections between the process module
700 and other modules, such as those at terminations of the
supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical fluid
return path 32, may be made with "quick disconnect"-type fittings,
thereby helping contribute to modularity of the modular power
infrastructure network. Also, if desired, in some embodiments the
supercritical fluid 16 from the process heat exchanger 704 may be
provided to any other suitable module for cooling (and ultimate
return to the supercritical fluid return path 32), as desired,
instead of being returned directly to the supercritical fluid
return path 32.
[0080] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, various embodiments of
modular power infrastructure networks may include one or more work
modules 800. In such embodiments, the work module 800 includes at
least one thermo mechanical work device 802 converts energy of the
supercritical fluid 16 supplied from embodiments of the
supercritical power module to mechanical work or electrical work,
as desired for a particular application.
[0081] In some embodiments and given by way of non-limiting
example, it may be desirable for the work module 800 to provide
mechanical work in the form of rotational mechanical energy. In
such embodiments, the thermo mechanical work device 802 may include
an expander, such as a turbine, that expands the supercritical
fluid 16 and converts a drop in enthalpy of the supercritical fluid
16 to rotational mechanical energy. Given by way of example and not
of limitation, suitable turbines may include a turbo-expander, an
expansion turbine, a centrifugal turbine, an axial flow turbine,
and/or the like. Given by way of non-limiting example, in such
cases the thermo mechanical work device 802 may rotationally drive
a drill bit that is coupled to the thermo mechanical work device
802 (in this case, a turbine) with an appropriate shaft and any
suitable gearing, as desired, for applications such as without
limitation mining, construction, fossil fuel exploration, fossil
fuel extraction, industrial or commercial applications, and the
like. Given by way of another non-limiting example, the thermo
mechanical work device 802 may rotationally drive an end effector,
such as a buffer or the like, for industrial or commercial
applications as desired. Regardless of whether rotational
mechanical energy provided by the thermo mechanical work device 802
is used to rotationally drive any suitable mechanical work device
attached thereto as discussed above, in some embodiments the thermo
mechanical work device 802 may rotationally drive one or more
suitable electrical power generators, thereby producing electricity
as desired.
[0082] In some other embodiments and given by way of non-limiting
example, it may be desirable for the work module 800 to provide
mechanical work in the form of axial mechanical energy. In such
embodiments, the thermo mechanical work device 802 may include an
expander, such as a reciprocating engine, that expands the
supercritical fluid 16 and converts a drop in enthalpy of the
supercritical fluid 16 to axial mechanical energy. Given by way of
non-limiting example, in such cases the thermo mechanical work
device 802 may axially drive a hammer or a pile driver bit that is
coupled to the thermo mechanical work device 802 (in this case, a
reciprocating engine) with an appropriate, as desired, for
applications such as without limitation mining, construction,
fossil fuel exploration, fossil extraction, industrial or
commercial applications, and the like. Regardless of whether axial
mechanical energy provided by the thermo mechanical work device 802
is used to axially drive any suitable mechanical work device
attached thereto as discussed above, in some embodiments the thermo
mechanical work device 802 may axially drive one or more suitable
electrical power generators, thereby producing electricity as
desired.
[0083] In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the work module
800 to provide mechanical work in the form of rotational mechanical
energy and axial mechanical energy. In such embodiments, at least
one thermo mechanical work device 802 may include an expander, such
as a turbine as discussed above, that expands the supercritical
fluid 16 and converts a drop in enthalpy of the supercritical fluid
16 to rotational mechanical energy and an expander, such as a
reciprocating engine, that expands the supercritical fluid 16 and
converts a drop in enthalpy of the supercritical fluid 16 to axial
mechanical energy. Given by way of example and not of limitation,
such an illustrative thermo mechanical work device 802 (or thermo
mechanical work devices 802) may be used to axially and
rotationally drive a combination hammer/drill. Regardless of
whether axial and rotational mechanical energy provided by the
thermo mechanical work device 802 is used to axially drive any
suitable mechanical work device attached thereto as discussed
above, in some embodiments the thermo mechanical work device 802
may axially drive one or more suitable electrical power generators
and/or may rotationally drive one or more suitable electrical power
generators, thereby producing electricity as desired.
[0084] Regardless of whether or the work module 800 provides any
suitable mechanical work, in various embodiments one or more thermo
mechanical work devices 802 may include one or more thermoelectric
generators. In such cases, the thermoelectric generator converts
heat from the supercritical fluid 16 directly into electrical
energy, using a phenomenon called the "Seebeck effect" (or
"thermoelectric effect").
[0085] Each supply and return line to and from the thermo
mechanical work device 802 may include an isolation valve 804. In
some embodiments, if desired connections between the work module
800 and other modules, such as those at terminations of the
supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical fluid
return path 32, may be made with "quick disconnect"-type fittings,
thereby helping contribute to modularity of the modular power
infrastructure network. Also, if desired, in some embodiments the
supercritical fluid 16 from the thermo mechanical work device 802
may be provided to any other suitable module for heating, cooling,
or conversion to work (and ultimate return to the supercritical
fluid return path 32), as desired, instead of being returned
directly to the supercritical fluid return path 32.
[0086] In various embodiments of modular power infrastructure
networks, various modules may be combined as desired for a
particular application. To that end, and referring now to FIG. 7,
in some embodiments an illustrative modular power infrastructure
network 10 may include at least one supercritical power module 12,
at least one thermal input module 22 coupled in fluid communication
with the at least one supercritical power module 12 via the outlet
path 20 and the inlet path 24, and at least one heat rejection
module 600 coupled in fluid communication with the at least one
supercritical power module 12 via the supercritical fluid supply
path 30 and the supercritical fluid return path 32. Such an
embodiment may provide combined heating and power ("CHP"), as
desired for a particular application.
[0087] Referring now to FIG. 8, in some embodiments an illustrative
modular power infrastructure network 10 may include at least one
supercritical power module 12, at least one thermal input module 22
coupled in fluid communication with the at least one supercritical
power module 12 via the outlet path 20 and the inlet path 24, and
at least one process module 700 coupled in fluid communication with
the at least one supercritical power module 12 via the
supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical fluid
return path 32. Such an embodiment may provide combined cooling and
power ("CCP"), as desired for a particular application.
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 9, in some embodiments an illustrative
modular power infrastructure network 10 may include at least one
supercritical power module 12, at least one thermal input module 22
coupled in fluid communication with the at least one supercritical
power module 12 via the outlet path 20 and the inlet path 24, and
at least one work module 800 coupled in fluid communication with
the at least one supercritical power module 12 via the
supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical fluid
return path 32.
[0089] Referring now to FIG. 10, in some embodiments an
illustrative modular power infrastructure network 10 may include at
least one supercritical power module 12, at least one thermal input
module 22 coupled in fluid communication with the at least one
supercritical power module 12 via the outlet path 20 and the inlet
path 24, at least one heat rejection module 600 coupled in fluid
communication with the at least one supercritical power module 12
via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical
fluid return path 32, and at least one work module 800 coupled in
fluid communication with the at least one supercritical power
module 12 via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the
supercritical fluid return path 32. Such an embodiment may provide
CHP, as desired for a particular application.
[0090] Referring now to FIG. 11, in some embodiments an
illustrative modular power infrastructure network 10 may include at
least one supercritical power module 12, at least one thermal input
module 22 coupled in fluid communication with the at least one
supercritical power module 12 via the outlet path 20 and the inlet
path 24, at least one process module 700 coupled in fluid
communication with the at least one supercritical power module 12
via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical
fluid return path 32, and at least one work module 800 coupled in
fluid communication with the at least one supercritical power
module 12 via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the
supercritical fluid return path 32. Such an embodiment may provide
CCP, as desired for a particular application.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 12, in some embodiments an
illustrative modular power infrastructure network 10 may include at
least one supercritical power module 12, at least one thermal input
module 22 coupled in fluid communication with the at least one
supercritical power module 12 via the outlet path 20 and the inlet
path 24, at least one heat rejection module 600 coupled in fluid
communication with the at least one supercritical power module 12
via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical
fluid return path 32, and at least one process module 700 coupled
in fluid communication with the at least one supercritical power
module 12 via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the
supercritical fluid return path 32. Such an embodiment may provide
combined heating, cooling, and power ("CHCP"), as desired for a
particular application.
[0092] Referring now to FIG. 13, in some embodiments an
illustrative modular power infrastructure network 10 may include at
least one supercritical power module 12, at least one thermal input
module 22 coupled in fluid communication with the at least one
supercritical power module 12 via the outlet path 20 and the inlet
path 24, at least one heat rejection module 600 coupled in fluid
communication with the at least one supercritical power module 12
via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical
fluid return path 32, at least one process module 700 coupled in
fluid communication with the at least one supercritical power
module 12 via the supercritical fluid supply path 30 and the
supercritical fluid return path 32, and at least one work module
800 coupled in fluid communication with the at least one
supercritical power module 12 via the supercritical fluid supply
path 30 and the supercritical fluid return path 32. Such an
embodiment may provide CHCP, as desired for a particular
application.
[0093] Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, it will be appreciated that
embodiments of the modular power infrastructure network 10 may
provide for distributed electrical power generation and/or a
distributed electrical power grid infrastructure (collectively
referred to herein as "distributed electrical power infrastructure
networks"). Illustrative distributed electrical power
infrastructure networks may include at least one thermal input
module 22 and two or more supercritical power modules 10
(regardless of thermodynamic cycle implemented therein) that each
include at least one electrical power generator 27 (not shown in
FIGS. 14-16). Embodiments of distributed electrical power
infrastructure networks may generate and distribute electrical
power for applications including without limitation grid-scale
electrical utilities, local utilities, microgrids, computational
facilities and equipment, motors, mines, military bases, remote
power, transportation equipment, batteries, flywheels, and the
like.
[0094] It will be appreciated that supercritical fluid may be
heated and distributed as desired in various embodiments of
distributed electrical power infrastructure networks. As a
non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 14, each thermal input
module 22 may be coupled in fluid communication directly with an
associated supercritical power module 10 via outlet paths 20 and
inlet paths 24. As another non-limiting example and as shown in
FIG. 15, one thermal input module 22 may be coupled in fluid
communication directly with more than one supercritical power
module 10 via outlet paths 20 and inlet paths 24. As another
non-limiting example and as shown in FIG. 16, one thermal input
module 22 may be coupled in fluid communication directly with one
supercritical power module 10 via outlet paths 20 and inlet paths
24, which in turn may be coupled in fluid communication directly
with another supercritical power module 10 via the supercritical
fluid supply path 30 and the supercritical fluid return path 32. It
will also be appreciated that, while not shown in FIGS. 14-16,
embodiments of distributed electrical power infrastructure networks
may include any one or more heat rejection modules 600, process
module 700, and/or work module 800 as desired for a particular
application.
Illustrative Methods
[0095] Now that illustrative embodiments of modular power
infrastructure networks and distributed electrical power
infrastructure networks have been discussed, illustrative methods
will be discussed by way of non-limiting examples. Embodiments of
the methods may be used in association with embodiments of the
modular power infrastructure network 10 and distributed electrical
power infrastructure networks disclosed above. Details of the
modular power infrastructure network 10 and distributed electrical
power infrastructure networks disclosed above have been set forth
above, are incorporated by this reference, and need not be repeated
for an understanding of embodiments of the illustrative
methods.
[0096] Following are a series of flowcharts depicting
implementations. For ease of understanding, the flowcharts are
organized such that the initial flowcharts present implementations
via an example implementation and thereafter the following
flowcharts present alternate implementations and/or expansions of
the initial flowchart(s) as either sub-component operations or
additional component operations building on one or more
earlier-presented flowcharts. Those having skill in the art will
appreciate that the style of presentation utilized herein (e.g.,
beginning with a presentation of a flowchart(s) presenting an
example implementation and thereafter providing additions to and/or
further details in subsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a
rapid and easy understanding of the various process
implementations. In addition, those skilled in the art will further
appreciate that the style of presentation used herein also lends
itself well to modular and/or object-oriented program design
paradigms.
[0097] Referring now to FIG. 17A, in an embodiment an illustrative
method 1700 is provided for operating a modular power
infrastructure network. The method 1700 starts at a block 1702. At
a block 1704 a supercritical fluid is compressed with a first
compressor in a first module. At a block 1704A compressed
supercritical fluid is heated with a first recuperator in the first
module. At a block 1705 supercritical fluid heated by the first
recuperator is compressed with a second compressor in the first
module in series with the first compressor. At a block 1706
compressed supercritical fluid from the second compressor is heated
in at least the first module. At a block 1708 heated compressed
supercritical fluid is expanded in the first module. At a block
1710 a drop in enthalpy of supercritical fluid is converted to
mechanical energy in the first module. At a block 1712 expanded
supercritical fluid is cooled in the first module. The method 1700
stops at a block 1714.
[0098] Referring additionally to FIG. 17B, in some embodiments
supercritical fluid may be supplied from the first module to at
least one selected other module at a block 1716 and supercritical
fluid may be returned from the at least one selected other module
to the first module at a block 1718.
[0099] Referring additionally to FIG. 17C, in some embodiments
heating compressed supercritical fluid in at least the first module
at the block 1706 may include heating compressed supercritical
fluid from the second compressor in a second recuperator disposed
in the first module at a block 1722, and heating compressed
supercritical fluid in a second module having a heat source at a
block 1724.
[0100] Referring additionally to FIG. 17D, in some embodiments at a
block 1726 waste heat may be supplied from the second module to at
least one selected other module.
[0101] Referring additionally to FIG. 17E, in some embodiments
supplying supercritical fluid from the first module to at least one
selected other module at the block 1716 may include supplying
supercritical fluid from the first module to at least one heat
exchanger in the at least one selected other module at a block
1728.
[0102] Referring additionally to FIG. 17F, in some embodiments
supplying supercritical fluid from the first module to at least one
selected other module at the block 1716 may include supplying
supercritical fluid from the first module to at least one expansion
device in the at least one selected other module at a block 1730
and supplying supercritical fluid from the at least one expansion
device to at least one heat exchanger in the at least one selected
other module at a block 1732.
[0103] Referring additionally to FIG. 17G, in some embodiments
supplying supercritical fluid from the first module to at least one
selected other module at the block 1716 may include supplying
supercritical fluid from the first module to at least one thermo
mechanical work device in the at least one selected other module at
a block 1734.
[0104] Referring additionally to FIG. 17H, in some embodiments at a
block 1736 an electrical power generator in the first module may be
driven with the mechanical energy and at a block 1738 electrical
power may be generated with the electrical power generator.
[0105] Referring now to FIG. 18, in an embodiment an illustrative
method 1800 of fabricating a modular power infrastructure network
is provided. The method 1800 starts at a block 1802. At a block
1804 a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet and being
structured to raise pressure of a supercritical fluid is disposed
in a first module. At a block 1806 a first recuperator in fluid
communication with the first compressor outlet and being structured
to transfer heat to compressed supercritical fluid is disposed in
the first module. At a block 1808 a second compressor having an
inlet in fluid communication with the first recuperator, having an
outlet, and being structured to raise pressure of a supercritical
fluid is disposed in the first module. At a block 1810 a second
recuperator in fluid communication with the second compressor
outlet and being structured to transfer heat to compressed
supercritical fluid is disposed in the first module. At a block
1812 an outlet path structured to provide heated compressed
supercritical fluid from the second recuperator to a heat source is
provided. At a block 1814 an inlet path structured to provide
heated compressed supercritical fluid from the heat source is
provided.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 18A, at a block 1816 an expander having an
inlet operatively coupled in fluid communication with the inlet
path is disposed in the first module, the expander being structured
to convert a drop in enthalpy of supercritical fluid to mechanical
energy, the expander having an outlet operatively coupled in fluid
communication with the second recuperator to transfer heat from
expanded supercritical fluid to compressed supercritical fluid. At
a block 1818 a cooler being structured to cool expanded
supercritical fluid from the first recuperator and provide cooled
expanded supercritical fluid to the first compressor inlet is
disposed in the first module. The method 1800 stops at a block
1820.
[0107] Referring now to FIG. 18B, in some embodiments a
supercritical fluid supply path structured to supply supercritical
fluid from the supercritical power module to at least one selected
other module may be provided at a block 1822, and a supercritical
fluid return path structured to return supercritical fluid from the
at least one selected other module to the supercritical power
module may be provided at a block 1824.
[0108] Referring now to FIG. 18C, in some embodiments at a block
1826 a thermal input module in fluid communication with the outlet
path and the inlet path may be provided, the thermal input module
including a heat source structured to heat compressed supercritical
fluid.
[0109] Referring now to FIG. 18D, in some embodiments at a block
1828 a waste heat supply path structured to supply waste heat from
the thermal input module to at least one selected other module may
be provided.
[0110] Referring now to FIG. 18E, in some embodiments at a block
1830 a heat rejection module in fluid communication with the
supercritical fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return
path may be provided.
[0111] Referring now to FIG. 18F, in some embodiments at a block
1832 a process module in fluid communication with the supercritical
fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return path may be
provided.
[0112] Referring now to FIG. 18G, in some embodiments at a block
1834 a work module in fluid communication with the supercritical
fluid supply path and the supercritical fluid return path may be
provided.
[0113] Referring now to FIG. 18H, in some embodiments at a block
1836 an electrical power generator coupled to the expander may be
disposed in the first module.
[0114] The following U.S. Applications, filed concurrently
herewith, are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/843,033, titled "MODULAR POWER
INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS"
(Attorney Docket No. 87255.8001US1) and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/843,668, titled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PART LOAD
CONTROL OF ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATING SYSTEMS" (Attorney Docket
No. 87255.8004US).
[0115] All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application
publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign
patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this
specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet, are
incorporated herein by reference, to the extent not inconsistent
herewith.
[0116] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or
singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate
from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the
plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The
various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth
herein for sake of clarity.
[0117] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates
different components contained within, or connected with, different
other components. It is to be understood that such depicted
architectures are merely exemplary; and that in fact many other
architectures may be implemented which achieve the same
functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components
to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such
that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two
components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality
can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired
functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or
intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated
can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably
coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and
any two components capable of being so associated can also be
viewed as being "operably coupleable," to each other to achieve the
desired functionality. Specific examples of operably coupleable
include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or
physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable,
and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically
interacting, and/or logically interactable components.
[0118] In some instances, one or more components may be referred to
herein as "configured to," "configured by," "configurable to,"
"operable/operative to," "adapted/adaptable," "able to,"
"conformable/conformed to," etc. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that such terms (e.g. "configured to") can generally
encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components
and/or standby-state components, unless context requires
otherwise.
[0119] While particular aspects of the present subject matter
described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein,
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and,
therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope
all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit
and scope of the subject matter described herein. It will be
understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used
herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the
appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the
term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not
limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at
least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but
is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those
within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim
recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited
in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent
is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following
appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at
least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations.
However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply
that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite
articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such
introduced claim recitation to claims containing only one such
recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory
phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles
such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be
interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same
holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim
recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an
introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in
the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be
interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare
recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically
means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at
least one of A, B, and. C, etc." is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art
would understand the convention (e.g., " a system having at least
one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems
that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C
together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In
those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A,
B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended
in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the
convention (e.g., " a system having at least one of A, B, or C"
would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B
alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further
understood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive
word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms,
whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be
understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the
terms, either of the terms, or both terms unless context dictates
otherwise. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be typically
understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and
B."
[0120] With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally
be performed in any suitable order. Also, although various
operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be
understood that the various operations may be performed in other
orders than those which are illustrated, or may be performed
concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include
overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,
preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant
orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms
like "responsive to," "related to," or other past-tense adjectives
are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context
dictates otherwise.
[0121] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing
specific exemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies are
representative of more general processes and/or devices and/or
technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed
herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.
[0122] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed
herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed
herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *